1976Final results
1976 election for U.S. Senate in Texas
U.S. Senate · Texas
Lloyd Bentsen (D) won with 56.8% of the vote, defeating Alan Steelman (R) by 14.5 points.
Lloyd BentsenDemocrat · winner
56.8%2,199,956
Alan SteelmanRepublican
42.2%1,636,370
Pedro VasquezSocialist Workers
0.5%20,549
Marjorie P. GallionOther party
0.4%17,355
3,874,230 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1976
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Lloyd Bentsen (D)Alan Steelman (R)
Also on the ballot: Pedro Vasquez (Socialist Workers), 0.5%; Marjorie P. Gallion (Other party), 0.4%